“For these six friends, anything is possible when you follow your dreams.”

On August 10, 2010, the Chinese version of the hit Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical, entitled High School Musical: China, was released. Set in an international college in Shanghai, the film follows six students as they compete for a cash prize in an inter-school singing competition. The film was a joint production between Disney, Shanghai Media Group, and Huayi Bros. It starred Zhang Junning, Liu Yanchen, Ma Zihan, Gu Xuan, and Yuan Chengjie.

On August 9, 2015, after operating for almost twenty years, the Walt Disney World Speedway closed. Located in a corner near Magic Kingdom Park, the racetrack was used for speed racing events, including a Formula Ford 2000 support race; the track was also used for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which gave guests the chance to sit behind the wheel of a stock car and race down the track. The track has since been demolished to make way for transportation upgrades for Magic Kingdom Park guests.

August 8, 2006 – The Deluxe Version of Into the Rush by Aly and AJ is Released Through Hollywood Records

“You make me feel out of my element, like I’m drifting out to the sea.”

On August 8, 2006, the deluxe version of the debut studio album Into the Rush by recording artists Aly & AJ was released through Hollywood Records. With the original album being released only a year prior, the deluxe edition featured new versions of the tracks “Something More” and “Collapsed,” along with new songs “Shine” and “Chemicals React,” with the latter acting as the lead single for the album.

August 7, 1992 – The Short Film Petal to the Metal is Released to Theaters

On August 7, 1992, the special short film Petal to the Metal premiered in theaters before the feature film 3 Ninjas. The short featured the character of Bonkers D. Bobcat, before he starred in his television show in 1993. It finds Bonkers, in an effort to keep his job, trying to deliver a bouquet to Fawn Deer in only five minutes, but ends up in one hilarious predicament after another. The short was directed by David Block.

“The youths, who were participating in what was called a Yippie ‘invasion,’ had shouted obscenities and had pulled down red, white and blue bunting hanging near Disneyland’s make believe City Hall.”

On August 6, 1970, the Youth International Party, known as “Yippies,” held a “takeover” of Disneyland. Among the activies and groups attending included a Black Panther breakfast at the Aunt Jemima Pancake House, a liberation of Minnie Mouse by the Women’s Liberation, and meeting of the Self Defensive Collective at the shooting gallery in Frontierland. As the intention for this day had been made public, Anaheim law enforcement had been placed on high alert and given riot training, as they have been told that the Yippies would be heavily armed and planning an attack on the Bank of America on Main Street. Though it had been predicted that between 20,000 and 200,000 Yippies would show up to the park, only about 300 actually participated in the events.

Though several caused some strange activities that day, nothing serious occurred in the park until about 5pm, when two groups of Yippies boarded the rafts and headed to Tom Sawyer Island. After they replaced the United States Flag with the Yippie flag and attempted to get a rise out of nearby tourists, park officials decided to take a preemptive strike and close the park before there were any altercations between the Yippies and the park guests. As the Yippies were pushed down Main Street, they were greeted with a band of guests singing “God Bless America.” This led to another altercation, and another swift push to get the Yippies out of Disneyland. While there was some minor damage done to the park property, the overall protest did little to disrupt the park’s operations until the early closing.

August 5, 1997 – The Soundtrack to the Live Action Film Air Bud is Released Through Hollywood Records

“Words mean so little when you look up and smile.”

On August 5, 1997, the soundtrack for the live action feature film Air Bud was released through Disney’s Hollywood Records label. The album is comprised of the score by composer Brahm Wenger, along with two songs featured in the film: “Clair” by Gilbert O’Sullivan, and “Splish Splash” by Jimmy Z.

August 4, 2001 – The Live Show The Bear in the Big Blue House Show Closes in Disney-MGM Studios

“Welcome to the Blue House!”

On August 4, 2001, the live show The Bear in the Big Blue House Show had its final performance in Disney-MGM Studios (now known as Hollywood Studios). The show had played for over a year, and featured the characters from the hit kids television show Bear in the Big Blue House singing songs. The show was replaced by Playhouse Disney: Live on Stage, which had segments featuring the cast of Bear in the Big Blue House.